Co-Designing Resilience: Community-Engaged, Equity-Centered Resilience Hubs for Hazard Preparedness

• In Event: Partnering for Community Resilience: Collaborative Approaches for Hazards, Emergency Management, and First Responders

Abstract

Central Florida experiences an array of disasters that can contribute to extensive power and connectivity losses. According to Orlando’s Climate Vulnerability Assessment,[1] extreme heat, severe storms, tropical cyclones, inland flooding, and wildfire risks are expected to increase in Central Florida over the next 30-50 years due to climate change. Even without external shocks, marginalized communities have reduced access to standard resources. Given Orlando’s high population of minority groups and households below the poverty line that have less access to generators and broadband internet, as well as higher energy burdens, there is a need to develop more equitable solutions to assist with power outages and connectivity in Central Florida.

Resilience hubs offer vital support during climate-related disasters by providing temporary access to electricity, internet connectivity, and essential resources, playing a key role in strengthening community resilience. Marginalized and low-income populations are especially vulnerable to these disruptions, often facing greater challenges in disaster response and recovery. This article highlights a case study from Orlando, where a resilience and education hub was co-developed using a community-driven, equity-focused approach. Over six months, a multidisciplinary research team engaged 20 community partners, surveyed more than 300 residents, and collaborated with local youth to identify core values for the hub’s design—spanning infrastructure, social connection, and tailored educational resources. The result is the REACH hub (Resilience, Education, and Advocacy Center for Hazard preparedness), a modular, portable facility equipped with interactive tools and scalable technology.

The article presents a framework that other communities can use to co-create similar equity-centered resilience hubs through collaboration between academic, civic, and community stakeholders. Further, we report on the results of surveys distributed during three community demonstrations with the hub to assess user reflections on the new tech-aided resilience hub, along with perceptions of emergency preparedness and hazard risk. This study illustrates the critical role of equity-centered design in advancing climate resilience strategies, particularly for marginalized populations disproportionately impacted by disruptions. The findings suggest that community-driven, modular resilience hubs developed through cross-sector collaboration offer a replicable framework for scholars and policymakers seeking to promote equitable resilience in urban disaster preparedness and response efforts.

[1] Sellers, B., Castro, C., & Jurgensen, I. (2017). Climate Vulnerability Assessment. City of Orlando, Green Works Orlando, Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy.

Author

• Kelly Ann Stevens, University of Central Florida
  Presenting Author